Can you grow crepe myrtle from seed pods?

How to Grow Crepe Myrtle from Seed. These seed capsules usually ripen in the fall and can be collected, dried and saved for sowing in spring. To propagate crepe myrtle from seed, gently press the seeds into moist potting mix or composted soil using a regular sized pot or planting tray.

Can I grow a crepe myrtle?

Southern gardeners love their crape myrtles for summer bloom, attractive, peeling bark, and limited crape myrtle care. How to grow crape myrtle is not an issue in most areas to which they are hardy, USDA Zones 9 down to 7 (with some special varieties surviving in zone 6), as they are easy to grow in the right location.

How long does it take for a crepe myrtle to grow?

This myrtle, like all myrtles, thrives in full sunlight and moist but well-draining soils. It has a maximum height of between 15 to 30 feet, which means it will take between about five to 10 years to reach maturity.

How do you germinate crape myrtle seeds?

Cover with a layer of milled sphagnum moss, and mist until damp. Cover the pot with plastic, and put in a warm, bright place (75° to 85° F). The seeds should sprout in a few weeks. Once they sprout, you can remove the plastic and keep the seedlings moist and in bright light as they grow.

Can you root a crepe myrtle in water?

Crape myrtle shoots root well under a variety of indoor and outdoor conditions, although it’s not possible to root crape myrtle cuttings in water. Insert the cutting into the planting hole until the entire bottom half is below the surface. Press the soil firmly against the stem, and water well to settle the soil.

How do you start a crape myrtle from a cutting?

Take 4-inch long cuttings, each with a bud 1/4 of an inch from the top end. They should be about as thick as a pencil. Dip the bottom of each cutting into a rooting hormone and insert the cuttings into a pot filled with a moist lightweight potting soil or soil-less mix.

Do crape myrtle seeds need stratification?

In late summer, a crape myrtle tree or shrub produces seedpods that ripen and then split open, dispersing seeds. Crape myrtle seeds germinate best, however, after a period of cold treatment, or stratification.

Will crepe myrtle cuttings root in water?

Crape myrtle shoots root well under a variety of indoor and outdoor conditions, although it’s not possible to root crape myrtle cuttings in water. For most home gardeners, it’s best to root crape myrtle cuttings in pots so you can better control the growing conditions.

How do crape myrtles propagate?

Crape myrtle is easily propagated from semi-hardwood cuttings taken during the growing season. June, July and August are excellent times to root cuttings. Take cuttings from new growth of the season, leaving three to four nodes per cutting and several leaves.

Can you start a crepe myrtle from a cutting?

What is the best fertilizer for crape myrtles?

Crape myrtles require large amounts of nitrogen to foster growth and produce the greatest number of flowers. Choose a high-nitrogen, all-purpose lawn and garden fertilizer such as an 8-8-8 or 10-10-10 solution. A 12-4-8 or 16-4-8 solution is also acceptable if applied at a lesser rate.

How many years does it take for a crepe myrtle to grow?

How close to the house can you plant a crape myrtle?

Plant spacing. How far from the house to plant depends on the variety of crape myrtle tree you choose. Small ones can go as close as 3 to 4 feet. Larger crape myrtles need to be placed 10 feet or more away. If you plant a row of myrtles, place them about 4 to 6 feet or more apart (again, depending on variety).

Should I prune off crepe myrtle seeds?

The answer to this entirely depends on that cultivar of crepe myrtle you have, and where you have planted it. Research by the University of Florida indicates that if a suitable cultivar is selected and planted in an appropriate position, then you should never have to prune a crepe myrtle.